Yokohama commits to SBTi
On 30 January The Yokohama Rubber Co., Lt. submitted a commitment letter to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)1, the first step in gaining validation of science-based targets (SBTs) for greenhouse gas emission reductions consistent with standards established by the Paris Agreement.
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China Automotive award for Sailun EcoPoint3
China’s state broadcaster CCTV presented the fourth annual China Automotive Festival on 28 January. The event at Beijing National Stadium included an awards ceremony honouring the best from domestic and international manufacturers, and amongst the recipients was Sailun Group, which won the Jury’s Choice Award for its EcoPoint3 technology. Mrs Liu Yanhua, chairwoman of Sailun Group, accepted the award on behalf of the tyre maker.
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Tyremakers sued in US class action antitrust lawsuit – public communications and high prices at centre of case
Days after the European Commission announced that it is investigating a number of leading tyre manufacturers in relation to allegations of price-fixing, the same companies have become the subject of a similar class-action lawsuit in the USA. The class action relates to “…purchases of tyres within four years prior to the filing” – which clearly relates to a potentially enormous number of tyres. The case basically alleges that the named tyremakers colluded to raise and sustain higher tyre prices and that such action was at least partly facilitated via public communications. The named tyremakers have all already denied price fixing and stated their compliance with the law and their cooperation with investigations in relation the EC investigation.
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Apollo Tyres appoints new sales manager in France
Apollo Tyres has appointed Olivier Pataud as country sales manager for France. He succeeds Francois Hien, who becomes the company’s new “head of customer experience projects” operating across all of the company’s product groups in France. Pataud joined Apollo Tyres last year as a key account manager for the Passenger Car Tyre division.
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Romain Sartorius named Chairman & CEO of Mobivia
French automotive and mobility sector company Mobivia, which operates 11 brands and some 20 start-ups in several countries, has a new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Following its election on 27 January, the company’s Board of Directors chose Romain Sartorius to lead the firm for the next four years.
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ZC Rubber building factory in Mexico
Not only is Zhongce Rubber Group Co., Ltd (ZC Rubber) setting up a new factory in Indonesia, the Hangzhou, China-headquartered tyre maker has also unveiled plans for a plant in Mexico. The company is looking to establish a manufacturing facility in Saltillo, in the state of Coahuila, with a potential size of up to 600,000 square metres. It will also build a North American warehouse centre adjacent to the factory to improve the local distribution network and optimise cost efficiency.
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New Pyrum Innovations reactor already at 75%
Pyrum Innovations is working to bring two new reactors into operation at its main Dillingen plant in Germany’s Saarland, trebling the facility’s capacity. It began a second test run of the first of these, reactor 2 (TAD 2), on 30 January and reports “initial successes” towards the reactor’s commissioning.
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Ireland extending EPR waste tyre scheme
The Republic of Ireland’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for tyres is to be extended to cover all tyre categories set out in country’s Tyres Regulations (8th regulation). According to Ossian Smyth, Minister of State with responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy, this extension will take effect on 1 January 2025 and enable the environmentally sound management of bus, truck, agricultural, construction and industrial waste tyres. Currently, the EPR scheme manages and seeks sustainable solutions for end-of-life passenger car, 4x4, van and motorcycle tyres.
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SRI using AI to reduce tyre air resistance
A new simulation technique will aid tyre development at Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) by helping to minimise the impact of air resistance. This ‘Tire Aerodynamic Simulation’ technique uses artificial intelligence to visualise the airflow that develops around the tyres when a vehicle is in motion, and the Falken brand manufacturer will use the knowledge it gains to “pursue the development of a tyre shape that optimises aerodynamic performance.” SRI aims to launch an EV tyre developed using Tire Aerodynamic Simulation in 2027.
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Bridgestone closing Shenyang, China TBR tyre plant
It appears that Bridgestone is preparing to close its tyre factory in Shenyang, China. A plant employee told our Tyrepress China site that production in Shenyang ceased at the end of January 2024 and that Bridgestone will officially shutter the site at the end of February. As of 5 February, Bridgestone had issued no official announcement regarding the plant.
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Cybertruck wheel covers causing excessive tyre wear
Form follows function’ is typically the rule, with intended use influencing a product’s design. However, electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla hasn’t quite achieved this with its Cybertruck, at least when it developed the vehicle’s aerodynamically shaped wheel coverings.
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Michelin signs disability policy agreement in France
On 30 January 2024, Michelin France and three trade unions signed a new agreement to enhance the employment of people with disabilities. This agreement builds upon a prior deal from 2021 and covers the period from this year through to 2027.
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Continental investing in Sri Lanka solid tyre plant
With an investment of around 13 million euros over the coming three years, Continental will enhance pre-production capacities at its Speciality Tires plant in Kalatura, Sri Lanka, thereby optimising the manufacturing process and limiting cross-country dependencies within the logistic supply chain. Continental anticipates that customers will benefit from better product availability. The investment will also create some 200 additional jobs.
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Asahi Kasei Europe joins Plastics Europe
At the end of January, Asahi Kasei Europe reported that it joined Plastics Europe Germany in December 2023. With close to 100 members producing over 90 per cent of all polymers across Europe, Plastics Europe is a leading association in its field.
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ZC Rubber sheds further light on Indonesia factory plan
Zhongce Rubber Group Co., Ltd (ZC Rubber) has officially confirmed its intention to establish a new tyre factory in Indonesia. Located within the Kendal Industrial Park near Semarang, in Central Java, the production base will cover an area of 500,000 square metres. ZC Rubber expects construction to be completed within a period of 10 months.
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